Brochure-Eng

Hispanic Community Health
Study
Midwest Latino Health, Research,
Training, and Policy Center

Hispanic Community Health
Study

YOUR PARTICIPATION
COUNTS!

Get involved in
the largest study
of Hispanic/
Latino health in
the U.S.
16,000 persons in Miami,
New York, San Diego and
Chicago will participate
in the study.

Questions?
If you have any questions please contact one of the
following telephone numbers and we will be happy
to answer your concerns.
Local telephone number ###
National telephone number ####
Website http://www.cscc.unc.edu/hchs/

In Chicago, the Northwestern University in
partnership with University of Illinois at
Chicago (UIC) are conducting this health
study .
At the national level, the study is sponsored
by the National Institute of Health (NIH)
and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute, and coordinated by the University
of North Carolina.

Hispanic Community Health
Study

What is the HCHS/SOL?
•

Largest Latino health study taking
place in Chicago, New York, Miami,
and San Diego

•

In each city 4,000 persons will be randomly selected to participate.

•

The purpose of SOL is to learn more
about the health of Latinos living in the
U.S.

•

SOL is receiving funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Who can participate in the
health study?
•

Persons who have been randomly selected and invited to participate

•

Persons who self identify as Hispanic
or Latino

•

Persons between 18 to 74 years old

When does the recruitment
for the study start?
•

The recruitment to the study will start in
the Fall of 2007

•

Activities in your neighborhood such as
community meetings, media announcements, and other community events will
alert you that the study has begun.

What does the study involve?
1. Participants invited to the study will be asked questions about their health status, medical history, occupational health, lifestyle behaviors, and about
specific health conditions such as heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, asthma, chronic pulmonary conditions, and sleep disorders.
2. Receive a free medical exam that includes:
• Height, weight, and blood pressure assessments
• A dental examination by a licensed dental
hygienist or dentist
• An examination to test your hearing
• An electrocardiogram
• A breathing test to see how well your lungs
are working
• Laboratory test of blood and urine samples to
screen for illnesses like diabetes
• Nutritional practices and preferences
• Physical activity assessments
• Home sleep monitoring
3. Follow-up telephone calls to answer a brief health
questionnaire once a year for 5 years.

How do I know that I have
been selected?
A letter of invitation with the SOL logo will be
mailed to your home, followed by a telephone
call and/or home visit about one week later.

What are the benefits of
the study?
• There is no cost to participate in the study.
• Important health information will be collected to increase the level of knowledge
about Hispanic/Latino health, lifestyle
practices and environmental factors that
affect their health
• This information will be useful for the planning and development of public health services and medical care, and to impact public policy that will improve the health of
Hispanic/Latino communities and future
generations.

Is there some risk for
participating in the study?
• No. All information is confidential and all
medical examinations are standard and
considered safe.
• All activities will be fully explained to you. If
you agree to participate, you will be asked
to sign a consent form.
• Your participation is voluntary and you are
free to choose to discontinue your participation in the study at any time.